HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1288, 22 June 1883, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, 21.

'Mr Shaw rose exactly at half-past sigyen on T^uwdaj ,, nigb,t, .to move t% motion foi v tKe Adttress in Beply. The galleries were well filled, including the ladies gallery, the occupants of which manifested a very keen interest in the proceedings, Mr Show was greeted with warm cheers on all sides. He commenced by asking the indulgence of the House in performing a task which he felt conscious might fairly have been entrusted to the oldest and most experienced member. Criticising the Governor's Speech, he said it was one which deserved the hearty thanks of the House. From the wide extent of subjects over which it travelled, he (Mr Shaw) was utterly precluded from attempting to comment on each paragraph of that Speech. He believed he would be best consulting the wishes of the House, therefore, if he confined his attion to those subjects of which he had a professional knowledge, or which were of paramount importance fx*om a colonial point of view. Alluding to the present Governor, he said His Excellency was a man, who, by his military career and great ability in the profession he had chosen, had made for himself a mark in every civilised country, and who, by his administration, had shown himself well fitted for the position he now so honorably adorned in New Zealand. We reqdired a 1 man as Governor who could sympathise with our asperations and feelings, and would endeavor to assist us in carrying out the measures which were for the benefit of the colony at large. r (Cheers,) With regard to Mr. Bryce'j3 Native administration, Mr. Shaw paid a high compliment to the Native Minister for the success which had attended his administration ; and, referring to the foul calumny that had been showered on Mr Bryce's head by a certain writer, said it would ill become the Colony to be still under that calumny; that Mr Bryce's actions would redound to his credit, when the facts became known among those who had not at present the opportunity of judging as we had in New Zealand, must be manifest to everyone in England. To the question of the mail service, he expressed his belief that, if it had been known last session that New" Zealand was .within; 43 days of England, some hesitation would hay c been evinced beforg the Legislature entered into a definite contract for a renewal of the San Francisco Service. Begar.ding the Legislative Council, he believed the feeling of the Colony was fast veering in the direction of an Elective Upper House. (No and yes.) Whether the feeling might veer again at the next general election was another matter. He expressed a hope that one of the principal Bills the Government would bring down in due course would be a measure to amend the existing bankruptcy laws, which at present were a disgrace to any civilised community. The . bankruptcy laws ought to be made to protect the honest man, and punish the rogue. At present they tended in the opposite direction. He spoke in favor of the establishment of local Courts, similar to those in South Australia and elsewhere, and thought steps ought to be taken, with a view of dealing effectually with the cases of wife desertion which were now of suoh frequent occurrence in the Colony. Mr Lee, the member for Selwyn rose to second the Address in Beply. He too met with a most favorable reception. His speech lasted only five minutes. On Wednesday night, Messrs Montgomery, Seddon, Bathgate, Fergus, and others, having taken part/the motion for the adoption of the Address in Beply was put and carried on the voices. The House adjourned on the point at 11 a.m. Wellington, 21. In the House of Bepresentatives, the notices of motions and questions being disposed of, at 10 minutes to three an adjournment took place, to allow of the presentation to His Excellency the Governor, at Government House, of the Address in Reply.